Hand Building: Abstracted Nature - in person

Workshop participants will learn all three basic clay hand building techniques: pinching, coiling and slab construction. Based on your observations of nature around you, you will practice making small clay sketches that will be transformed into larger clay forms using those three techniques. There will be a group critique through which we will learn from each other and further develop our own work. The approach is spiritual and metaphorical, informed by your own inner experiences and sceneries. We will incorporate inspirations from the part of the natural world where we are: the Salmon River Estuary, the land and the ocean.

Ruri has been working with clay for over 38 years. After the apprenticeship under master Mashiko potter, Tatsuzo Shimaoka, she established her studio and kiln in rural Sheridan, Oregon. In 2004 she had her anagama kiln (wood firing climbing kiln) constructed, named it FuuKooGama (Wind and Light Kiln). She has been focusing on abstract sculpture fired in her anagama and other wood fire kilns.

Nature is her important source of inspiration, as well as all kinds of relationships in our daily life.

• 2"x12"x12" plywood (3/4" thickness)

• 2"x12"x12" canvas

• Hand towels (for while you work)

• Silverware (knife, fork, spoon)

• Any materials with interesting textures: Shells, rocks, tree barks, cloth, etc.

• Brushes if you have any  Paint brush, kitchen brush, any inexpensive brushes for slip applications

• Used or old newspapers for liners

• Small recycled containers (i.e. yogurt container)

• Lazy Susan if you have one

• Clay

• Instructor's personal tools

• Rolling pins

• Larger canvases

• Assortment of brushes and slips

• Small plastic containers

• Banding wheels

• Sponges

• Foam

• Bats

• Wooden boards

• Wedging board